# NTSB CHI08CA147: Piper PA-28-181, N2108N, Dixon, IL, June 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 2, 2008, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, IL
- Coordinates: 41.83361, -89.446113
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8336&lon=-89.4461&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA147

## Probable cause

The student pilot improperly raised the flaps during the go-around, did not maintain airspeed, and stalled the airplane.  The trees were a factor.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that there was a moderate crosswind when he was attempting to land so he executed a go-around.  During the go-around, he raised the flaps.  He reported that taking out 2 notches of flaps caused the airplane to lose too much altitude and "the plane stalled as I pulled back on the yoke."  The airplane struck several trees and impacted the ground.  He reported that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that there was a moderate crosswind when he was attempting to land so he executed a go-around.  During the go-around, he raised the flaps.  He reported that taking out 2 notches of flaps caused the airplane to lose too much altitude and "the plane stalled as I pulled back on the yoke."  The airplane struck several trees and impacted the ground.  He reported that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2108N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2108N-2009-09-16), registration cancelled 2009-09-16, S/N 28-7990273, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990273
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skyhawk Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: C-73, Dixon, IL
- Destination: Dixon, IL
- Airport: C73, Dixon Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20080602838769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080602838769A), Jun 2, 2008: Piper PA28181, Dixon, IL, Destroyed. (-23) After contacting his instructor, [privacy data omitted] the pilot, [privacy data omitted], student pilot #[privacy data omitted], departed Dixon IL…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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